[IC] Holo-Diary - Rhysand Sovern Sekker

[Rhysand Sekker]

Part I: The Sith Acolyte

Entry I: The Horuset Powerbase

The figure appeared in the shimmering blue and white of a holoprojection, his hands clasped across his chest in an ‘at-ease’ position. Clad in the familiar black Acolyte robes, the figure fixes his vibrant eyes on the viewer. Long, cartilaginous bone spurs extend from his chin, and his expression is stoic, lips thinned into a disapproving line. He shifted his shoulders back, taking a moment to consider what he was about to say.

“Holo-diary of Rhysand Sovern Sekker, Sith Acolyte. Entry one.” The young man stopped, looked away from the viewer as if listening for something, and then looked back. He cleared his throat and began speaking again.

“Today, I have been transferred from the Dromund Kaas Sith Academy to the Acolyte program of the Horuset Powerbase. Overseer Garotha said to me before I left that she hoped it would swallow me whole. I am not sure what she expects to happen. My cousin and Lord Patriarch is here. By his side is where I belong.

“When I stepped off the shuttle, I was welcomed by my cousin and Patriarch, Sith Zevasa, cousin to the former Darth Sekker. He had a woman with him, who I now know as Apprentice Zartilda Varrixon and a human Acolyte whose name I do not know. Sith Zevasa held my tour, and I was shown around the Horuset Estate. Where I arrived is the shuttle pad and an Imperial encampment that is forbidden for Acolytes, both on the lower grounds that are open to me day and night. At the estate, there are two checkpoints, which check for contraband, with cells to the left for detainment."

The Acolyte’s impassive figure moved as he tilted his head slightly to the right. “The tour itself is not worth discussing at length. It was informative, but not essential for this diary. During the tour, I heard several names to which I have no faces to add. They are Sith Tutki, who has something to do with the room between the Archives and the Training Room; one Korditis, who I expect is a brute, judging by the name alone; and a Lord Kalkoran—Trakaton Horuset—who is the husband to the Dark Lord and as Her Hand. I was also told of his family, a Zarkang and a Yallanda Kalkoran, who both serve as my ‘peers’—” Rhysand’s lips drop into a scowl. “—and as Acolytes here. I hope that they know that a fancy name does not important make.”

Rhysand briefly looked away from the recorder and sighed. “There was an incident in the Archives when I was brought there by Sith Zevasa. If I break the rules, they will be enforced by him—but I can tell that’s not what he meant to say. Personal observations aside, I have been told that I am not to go into the briefing room or past the last door on the right in the Grand Hall. It also seems that Sith Zevasa considers this Varrixon woman family. She is keen, that one, which would be an issue if she was not ‘family’. But it’s not her expectations I need to live up to, or her eyes I need to ensure watch me. No, that is Evelyn Ghûl, Sith Apprentice to Sith Zevasa. I don’t know what to think about her. But I will do my duty."

Rhysand angled his head back and looked at the ceiling while he thought, letting out a deep breath. “What else… Ah, I watched a pair of fights today after entering the Training Room: Acolyte Harr, a bald human, against my Patriarch, though it was not a fight and more a punishment. The boy had been defiant during the previous Trial and bragged about defying my Patriarch. Pathetic and wretched behaviour, but what else can you expect from a full Human?” He exhaled sharply. “Never mind. Sith Sarias entered, and spoke with an Overseer, apparently seeking one or two Apprentices. I hope that won’t be me, though Sith Sarias does have a certain presence about her. No, I have already made my choice.

“After the fight between Harr and Kromus, I spoke with the latter. A fascinating figure, a useful asset, and one who I don’t doubt will go far. He invited me to a Pureblood Alliance that has formed on the order of the Dark Lord Herself. Led by Kromus and Yallanda Kalkoran—again, that Acolyte I’ve not met—it also contains Acolyte Illodraen, and is designed specifically to prevent alien successes in the Trials. I’ve joined that, as Kromus and Illodraen seem stable allies, and Sith Zevasa considers it an alliance with the ‘right people’, he said later. Before Kromus and I spoke, however, we entered the medbay. I don’t like them, but that’s for another time. There, in the kolto tank, was a person. Scarred, damaged, I don’t know how to describe it. When I asked, Illodraen described him as a traitor.”

The Acolyte shrugged, adjusted how he stood and took a moment to collect his thoughts. His lips thinned into a disapproving line, and his eyes flicked offscreen for a moment again. His posture, however, remained perfect. As if he could remain standing for hours on end.

“When we left the cantina, where we met, Kromus and I nearly ran into an emerging conflict between Sith Vipion and Sith Arvanis. I went to speak with Sith Zevasa, and inform him of the occurrences that had taken place, but we were interrupted by yelling from Sith Vipion and Sith Arvanis: a personal matter. I’ll need to look into what happened. Syllel appeared again. Sith Zevasa will be ‘dealing with you [syllel] later’. I’ll need to ask her about that. When we did speak, Sith Zevasa seemed pleased at my words. He advised me about Syllel and the Pureblood alliance: I’m not to become subservient to Kromus or the Kalkoran Acolytes. But to play a sycophant sometimes is the best choice. For now, that is what Kromus needs. A confidante. And that is what I shall make myself.

“Late in the evening, I watched a close-quarters-combat fight between Charsette, a Miraluka,” His scowl grew. “And a human female. In the past tense, the human kept going on about ‘he’ and ‘him’. I suspect she might have gone through trauma or lost someone important to her through the alien’s actions. It’ll require looking into.”

Rhysand offers a sharp nod and with that, the holorecording fades.